Use keybinds in SylphSpeak

Goal

Use keybinds to trigger SylphSpeak actions from the keyboard.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• SylphSpeak open
• Config mode > Keybinds open
• A paid SylphSpeak account linked to your active device

Understand keybind slots

Each action can have up to three keybinds: Slot 1, Slot 2, and Slot 3. Only Toggle Overlay under Overlay & UI is a global keybind. This means SylphSpeak can use it even when SylphSpeak is not focused. All other keybinds only work when SylphSpeak is focused.

If another app uses the same global keybind

Another app can override SylphSpeak’s global keybind. If Toggle Overlay does not work, change the shortcut in the other app, or change SylphSpeak’s Toggle Overlay keybind.

Use chord keybinds

SylphSpeak supports chord keybinds. A chord keybind starts with a normal keybind, then uses a second key within a short time. For example: Ctrl + Shift + X, then 2 This is different from pressing only Ctrl + Shift + X, or pressing 2 after the chord timer runs out. Draft Stash actions use chord keybinds by default. Chords give you more shortcut combinations without taking over too many simple keybinds.

Switch between Windows and macOS

Keybinds are saved, and SylphSpeak maps standard modifier keys across operating systems. For example, Ctrl on Windows maps to ⌘ on macOS. It does not stay as literal Ctrl on macOS.

Modifier key names

In this guide, Ctrl on Windows usually maps to ⌘ on macOS. Alt on Windows maps to ⌥ on macOS.

Use keybind modes

Modes are optional. Most users do not need them. Use a mode when you want a second set of keybinds, for example for a game whose shortcuts conflict with SylphSpeak defaults. Base keybinds always apply. Select New mode to create a custom mode, then choose it in the modes card. Select Base only (or turn the mode off) to use base keybinds alone. Only one custom mode can be on at a time.

Modes card: create a mode with New mode, then choose Base only or a custom mode.

Enable or disable a mode

Choose a mode from the dropdown, or choose Base only to turn custom modes off.

Select a custom mode, or Base only.

When a mode is on, its row appears below base in the keybind editor. Mode keybinds override base for actions that have a binding in that mode. Edit a mode’s slots while that mode is selected.

An active custom mode appears below the base row.

Default keybinds

The tables below show the default keybinds for Windows and macOS. Ctrl on Windows and ⌘ on macOS; Alt is ⌥ on macOS.

Windows OS

Keybind	Slot 1	Slot 2	Slot 3
Toggle Overlay	Ctrl+\\`	Ctrl+Shift+Space	Ctrl+Alt+Space
Focus Input Bar	Ctrl+;
Exit Overlay	Esc
Reload Overlay	Ctrl+R
Pin Overlay	Ctrl+Shift+P
Open Settings	Ctrl+L
Send Message	Enter
Undo Send	Ctrl+Z
Paste & Send	Ctrl+Alt+V
Accept Suggestion	Ctrl+Right
Cycle Suggestions	Tab
Select Suggestion 1	Ctrl+Alt+1
Select Suggestion 2	Ctrl+Alt+2
Select Suggestion 3	Ctrl+Alt+3
Replay Last Message	Ctrl+E
Stop Speaking	Ctrl+.
Bubble 1	Alt+1
Bubble 2	Alt+2
Bubble 3	Alt+3
Bubble 4	Alt+4
Bubble 5	Alt+5
Bubble 6	Alt+6
Bubble 7	Alt+7
Bubble 8	Alt+8
Bubble 9	Alt+9
Bubble 10	Alt+0
Bubble 11	Alt+-
Bubble 12	Alt+=
Cycle Next Voice	Ctrl+Alt+Up
Cycle Previous Voice	Ctrl+Alt+Down
Switch to Main Voice	Ctrl+Alt+F
Route A	Alt+Z
Route B	Alt+X
Route C	Alt+C
Route D	Alt+V
Cycle Next Route	Ctrl+Alt+PageUp
Cycle Previous Route	Ctrl+Alt+PageDown
Increase Mic Volume	Ctrl+Alt+=
Decrease Mic Volume	Ctrl+Alt+-
Increase App Output Volume	Ctrl+Shift+=
Decrease App Output Volume	Ctrl+Shift+-
Save to Draft Stash 1	Ctrl+Shift+S,1
Save to Draft Stash 2	Ctrl+Shift+S,2
Save to Draft Stash 3	Ctrl+Shift+S,3
Save to Draft Stash 4	Ctrl+Shift+S,4
Insert Draft Stash 1	Ctrl+Shift+I,1
Insert Draft Stash 2	Ctrl+Shift+I,2
Insert Draft Stash 3	Ctrl+Shift+I,3
Insert Draft Stash 4	Ctrl+Shift+I,4
Clear Draft Stash 1	Ctrl+Shift+X,1
Clear Draft Stash 2	Ctrl+Shift+X,2
Clear Draft Stash 3	Ctrl+Shift+X,3
Clear Draft Stash 4	Ctrl+Shift+X,4

macOS

Keybind	Slot 1	Slot 2	Slot 3
Toggle Overlay	⌘+\\`	⌘+⇧+Space	⌘+⌥+Space
Focus Input Bar	⌘+;
Exit Overlay	Esc
Reload Overlay	⌘+R
Pin Overlay	⌘+⇧+P
Open Settings	⌘+L
Send Message	Enter
Undo Send	⌘+Z
Paste & Send	⌘+⌥+V
Accept Suggestion	⌘+Right
Cycle Suggestions	Tab
Select Suggestion 1	⌘+⌥+1
Select Suggestion 2	⌘+⌥+2
Select Suggestion 3	⌘+⌥+3
Replay Last Message	⌘+E
Stop Speaking	⌘+.
Bubble 1	⌥+1
Bubble 2	⌥+2
Bubble 3	⌥+3
Bubble 4	⌥+4
Bubble 5	⌥+5
Bubble 6	⌥+6
Bubble 7	⌥+7
Bubble 8	⌥+8
Bubble 9	⌥+9
Bubble 10	⌥+0
Bubble 11	⌥+-
Bubble 12	⌥+=
Cycle Next Voice	⌘+⌥+Up
Cycle Previous Voice	⌘+⌥+Down
Switch to Main Voice	⌘+⌥+F
Route A	⌥+Z
Route B	⌥+X
Route C	⌥+C
Route D	⌥+V
Cycle Next Route	⌘+⌥+PageUp
Cycle Previous Route	⌘+⌥+PageDown
Increase Mic Volume	⌘+⌥+=
Decrease Mic Volume	⌘+⌥+-
Increase App Output Volume	⌘+⇧+=
Decrease App Output Volume	⌘+⇧+-
Save to Draft Stash 1	⌘+⇧+S,1
Save to Draft Stash 2	⌘+⇧+S,2
Save to Draft Stash 3	⌘+⇧+S,3
Save to Draft Stash 4	⌘+⇧+S,4
Insert Draft Stash 1	⌘+⇧+I,1
Insert Draft Stash 2	⌘+⇧+I,2
Insert Draft Stash 3	⌘+⇧+I,3
Insert Draft Stash 4	⌘+⇧+I,4
Clear Draft Stash 1	⌘+⇧+X,1
Clear Draft Stash 2	⌘+⇧+X,2
Clear Draft Stash 3	⌘+⇧+X,3
Clear Draft Stash 4	⌘+⇧+X,4

Check that it worked

Your keybinds are ready when the action triggers from the keyboard in the context where you expect it to work. Remember:

• Toggle Overlay can work globally.
• Other keybinds work when SylphSpeak is focused.
• Mode keybinds override base only when that mode is on and has a keybind for the action.
• Draft Stash keybinds are chord sequences, which you can change.

Next step

Try one keybind you use often. If you prefer visual shortcuts instead, set up a bubble for the same action.